Rialto board hiring firm to look into alleged embezzlement

Rialto Unified School District Superintendent Harold Cebrun makes a statement during a school board meeting at Preston Elementary School in Rialto on Wednesday, Aug. 14. The board and community members addressed the recent arrest of the district’s accountant of the nutrition department, and accusations regarding Superintendent Cebrun.
Rachel Luna - Staff Photographer

Rialto >> The Rialto Unified school board will hire an independent investigation firm to look into allegations of embezzlement by a former district accountant.

The board decided Monday to hire Rancho Cucamonga-based Stewart Investigative Services, Inc. in a special closed session meeting called to discuss Judith Oakes’ arrest and the subsequent audit of the district’s Nutrition Services Department.

“There will be absolutely no repercussions regarding anyone coming forward about this investigation,” board member Nancy O’Kelley told the 20 or so audience members before the board went behind closed doors for more than an hour.